Spindle



June 13, 1939. E B FFT 2,162,321

SPINDLE i Filed Aug. 20, 1938 2 SheetS-Sheet l TTORNEY.

Patented June 13, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SPINDLE poration of Maine Application August 20, 1938, Serial No. 225,918

15 Claims.

The present invention pertains to spindles for spinning frames, twisters and the like.

Spindles of the type to which my invention applies commonly include an oil-contalning base,v

bearing means such as a bolster supported within the base, and a spindle blade revolving in the bearing means. As previously constructed, such spindles were incapable of effectively retaining the lubricating oil within the base, the oil coming out of the spindle and depositing on the outside thereof or on adjacent parts of the machine in which the spindles are mounted. Such failure of the spindle to retain its lubricating oil results in the considerable expense of frequently supplying quantities of oil to the spindles, and in improper lubrication of the spindles by the varying quantities of oil therein. The accumulations of oil outside the spindles and on other machine parts collect lint, materially interfere with proper cleaning of the machine, and frequently stain or soil quantities of the yarn upon which the machine is Operating.

The problem of providing a spindle of the type mentioned which is adequately lubricated and i' which will effectively retain its lubricating oil for an indefinite period has been of major importance for many years. Prior attempts to solve the problem have provided spindles from which the oil leaks or is thrown at a slower rate than from the earlier open spindles. Such constructions lessen, but do not correct the evils above noted and therefore are not a solution of said problem. Other prior spindles are capable of retaining heavy lubricating oil but will not retain the lighter bodied oils commonly used for lubricating spindles. The heavy oil mentioned is not a satisfactory lubricant for spinning or twister spindles, which spindles comprise small, light parts Operating at very high speeds and with small clearances. So far as I am aware, the said problem had never been solved with any degree of satisfaction, prior to the present invention.

It was formerly thought that the lubricating oil within a spindle remained in the form of liquid and drops of appreciable size. The prior spindles were accordingly designed to retain the liquid oil and to collect or gather the drops of oil and return them to the lower part of the spindle base. I have found, however, that the oil does not all remain in liquid or drop form, but that part of it is broken up into minute parti'cles which float or are suspended in the air which is contained within the spindle base. I have further found that, in general, the failure of said prior spindles to retain the oil is due to the failure to provide means for retaining the oil-laden air within the spindle base, the spindle throwing such air out of the base and thus depleting the oil supply therein. v

It is accordingly a principal object of the present invention to provide a spindle comprising an oil-containing spindle base, bearing means such as a bolster, and a spindle blade revolving in the bearing means, as aforesaid, and which spindle shall also be provided with means for retaining oil in liquid or drop form within the base and means for sealing said base against the escape of oil-laden air therefrom, whereby substantially all of the lubricating oil will be retained within the base for an indefinite period of time and the aforementioned objectionable features of prior spindles will be eliminated.

The foregoing and other objects of the invention are accomplished in the construction illustrated on the ac'companying drawings, of which;

Fig. l is a view in elevation of the preferred embodiment of my improved spindle;

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the same, to a larger scale;

Fig. 3 is a View in cross-section taken approximately on line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a view in cross-section taken approximately on line 4-4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a detail view, in perspective, of the bolster of said preferred form; and

Fig. 6 is a detail view of a part of the sealing means employed in said preferred form.

The spindle shown on the drawings is a spinning spindle, and is accordingly arranged to be mounted in the usual rail I of a spinning frame. A considerable number of spindles will be mounted in the rail l but, in view of the fact that such spindles are or may be all substantially alike, only one of the spindles is shown. The spindle includes a base 2 Constructed and arranged, as hereinafter described, to support a revolving spindle bl-ade 3. The spindle blade extends upwardly to provide a top portion on which a bobbin or the like, not shown, is to be positioned. The spindle blade may carry suitable means such as the usual centrifugal clutch 4 for gripping the bobbin and causing the latter to revolve` with the spindle blade.

The base 2 may have the usual form of tubular portion 5 which extends through a hole in the v rail I, and a shoulder 6 to rest on top of the rail. The portion 5 is threaded to receive a nut "l by which the spindle is firmly fixed in the rail. The spindle base 2 is provided with a vertical bore 8 which contains lubricating oil. The bore 8 is substantially filled with other spindle parts, as will hereinafter appear, and accordingly does not contain a very large quantity of oil. In order to increase the quantity of oil which may be contained by the spindle base, I prefer to provide the base with an oil reservoir. In the embodiment shown, the oil reservoir 9 is annular in shape and is formed by building an annular wall IU on the fiange H on which shoulder 6 is located. The reservoir 9 communicates with the bore 8 by means of oil passage I2.

The spindle base 2 projects upwardly above the oil reservoir 9 and to this end may include a sleeve such as the steel sleeve I3. The sleeve I3 has a frusto-conical flange I4 at its lower end which fiange rests on the wall IO. The flange I4 may be brazed or welded to the wall at l to thereby form an oil-tight joint. The base, comprising the sleeve I3 and the portion of the base therebelow, constitute an oil-tight container which is, however, open at its top. By the term oil-tight I mean merely that the base is impervious to accidental leakage of oil therefrorn.

The spindle includes bearing means located within the bore 8, such bearing means being shown as consisting of a bolster Hi. The base 2 may include a sleeve H which extends upwardly above the oil reservoir 9. The sleeves I3 and I'l are concentric but spaced from each other, that is, the inner sleeve I'l is smaller in diameter than the outer sleeve I3. Also, the outer sleeve I3 extends appreciably above the top of the inner sleeve I'I. The inner sleeve supports the upper portion of the bolster IS, but the latter extends upwardly slightly above the former. The spindle blade 3 revolves in the bolster IE, as is usual in spindles of this type. The oil level in the base E is appreciably below the top of sleeve I'I, being preferably below the top of wall IU as shown.

The spindle blade 3 is revolved by means of the usual band (not shown) which is to be trained around a Whorl I8. The whorl is fixed to the spindle blade at a point I 9 which is above the top of the outer sleeve I3. The whorl extends downwardly around the sleeve l3 but is larger than the sleeve and accordingly does not touch or bear against any part of the base. Any suitable doffer guard may be provided, such as the cap 20 which is identical to the doifer guard disclosed in patent to El. H. Erhard, No. 2,017,956, granted October 22, 1935.

The lubricating oil within the spindle base moves or is thrown upwardly toward the top of the base, as is known in the art. t will be apparent that if the spindle were Constructed as thus far described, without any further oil-controlling means, the thus open top of the base would permit the egress of oil therefrom. The said upward movement or throwing of the oil is caused by several factors, all related to the movements of the spindle blade.

Contrary to prior general belief, I find that oil moves upwardly between the outside of the bolster and the inside of the bore within which the bolster is supported. The bolster IS, in accordance with usual practice, is loose within the bore 8 to permit the bolster to conform to very slight variations in the vertical position of the spindle blade. Furthermore, the spindle blade and its load are usually more or less unbalanced, dynamically, with the result that as the spindle blade revolves it tends to vibrate laterally. This lateral movement of the spindle blade, I find, seems to either vibrate or roll the bolster within the bore 8, but in any event the bolster and bore :form a very effective pump which pumps oil upwardly and throws or squirts it toward the top of the spindle base.

The pumping action just described is or may often be the most important source of the upward movement of oil within the spindle base, Other sources include a similar pumping action between the spindle blade and the inside of the bolster, and a creeping of the oil up the spindle blade above the bolster. The oil thus moving or being thrown upwardly is largely in liquid or drop form, the drops being of such a size that they can be collected and returned by gravity to the main body of oil within the base. I have found that in the present spindle, as in all previous spindles using oil as a lubricant, the air within the spindle base is laden with particles of oil of such minute size that they are suspended or float in the air and will not return to the oil reservoir by gravity. I further find that if such oil-laden air is allowed to escape, the oil supply within the base will be gradually but steadily depleted.

It will now be apparent that if a spindle is to retain its oil supply indefinitely, provision must be made for preventing the escape of oil in liquid or drop form and also for preventing the escape of oil-laden air. The present invention provides a greatly improved arrangement for the former purpose and also provides what I believe to be the first means ever devised for the latter purpose,

Referring to the particular embodiment shown on the drawings, the space within the upper portion of the sleeve I3 comprises an air chamber 2I. My improved means for preventing the upward throw of oil is preferably located at the bottom of the chamber 2I, which is at or adjacent the top of the bolster Hi. As shown, the bolster is provided at its top with an annular baflie ring 22 which extends outwardly over the top of sleeve H into engagement with the sleeve I3. This ring 22 intercepts or diverts the oil which is thrown upwardly from between the bolster and the sleeve I'l, such oil being deflected outwardly against the sleeve I 3 and froml there running down the sleeve to the oil reservoir. The combination of bolster and ring with the sleeve for collecting oil from the ring and returning it to the oil reservoir is novel and is of material advantage in that it prevents a large proportion of the upwardly thrown oil from entering the chamber 2I.

Such oil as moves up the spindle blade 3 or is thrown upwardly from between the spindle blade and the inside of the bolster l6 is intercepted by a conventional form of oil throwing collar 23. The collar 23 is forced onto the spindle blade and is located at the bottom of the chamber 2I just above the ring 22. The collar revolves with the spindle blade and throws oil outwardly against the sleeve 13. This oil (or such of it as is not broken up into the aforesaid minute particles) rons down the sleeve I3 and through a small Opening 24 in the ring 22.

In the embodiment shown, the oil-laden air in chamber 2I is prevented from escaping therefrom by sealing means located within the sleeve I3 at the top of the air chamber. The details of construction of such sealing means are not essential to the invention in its broader aspects. However I prefer to employ cooperating members 25 and 26 carried by the spindle blade and sleeve I3, respectively, which members form. a bearing seal of the so-called air seal type.

The member 25 consists of a tubular collar which is forced onto and revolves with the spindle blade 3. The lower radial or end surface 21 of this collar is located below the top of sleeve l3. The spindle blade revolves at very high speeds, such as of the order of 10,000 revolutions per minute. The surface 21 accordingly induces air currents in all directions radially away from the spindle blade, as indicated by arrows on Fig. 2. The member 26 consists of a shield (see Fig. 6) which is threaded into the top of sleeve |3 and which is tapered to provide a circular inner edge 28. The edge 2.8 is slightly greater in diameter than the outside of the Collar 25 and is located intermediate the ends of the Collar. There is thus a very narrow Opening between the collar and shield. However the air currents above mentioned move radially below this Opening and the shield intercepts such currents and defiects orforces them to move downwardly along the in-,

ternal surface of the sleeve I3. By this means, the circulation of oil-laden air within the air Chamber is directed and Controlled, and the top of the Chamber is, in effect, sealed against the escape of the air therefrom.

The sealing means shown would not be effective to retain liquid oil if the latter were thrown against the Opening between the Collar 25 and edge. I-Ience such sealing means is effective only when combined with suitable means for preventing oil in liquid or drop form from being thrown into contact with the seal. However, when so com-bined, no appreciable quantity of oil will be thrown out of the spindle during normal operation of' the same. In fact, spindles constructed as shown on the drawings and using very light lubricating oils have been operated continuously, at high speeds, for periods of many months without any perceptible loss or diminution of the oil supply therein.

Having fully disclosed the preferred embodiment of my invention, I claim':

1. A spindle comprising an oil-containing base, said base being open at its top but otherwise oiltight, a bolster located within said base entirely below the top thereof, the oil level in said base being appreciably below the top of said bolster, a spindle blade revolving in said bolster, means located within said base adjacent the top thereof for sealing said top against the escape therefrom of oil-laden air, and means within said base adjacent the top of said bolster for preventing oil in liquid form from moving upwardly into contact with said sealing means.

2. A spindle comprising an oil-containing base, said base being open at its top but otherwise oiltight, a bolster supported in a bore in said base materially below said open top, the oil level in said base being below the top of said bolster, a spindle blade revolving in said bolster, cooperating means on said base and said spindle blade for sealing the said top of the base against the escape of oil-laden air therefrom, and means within said base adjacent the top of said bolster for positively preventing the upward throw of oil against said sealing means.

3. A spindle comprising'an Oil-containing base having an upwardly extending sleeve, said sleeve being open at its top but said base being otherwise oil-tight, a bolster supported in a bore in said base and terminating an appreciable distance below said open top, the oil level in said base being below the top of said bolster, a spindle blade revolving in said bolster, cooperating members On said sleeve and said spindle blade forming an air seal for sealing the top of said sleeve against the escape of oil-laden air therefrom,

and bafile means in said sleeve adjacent the top of said bolster for diverting upwardly moving oil and preventing the same from coming in contact with said sealing members.

4. A spindle comprising an oil-containing base having an upwardly extending sleeve, said sleeve being open at its top but said base being otherwise oil-tight, a bolster supported in a bore in said base and terminating an appreciable distance below said open top, there being an air chamber within said sleeve above the top of said bolster and the oil level in said base being below said Chamber, a spindle blade revolving in said bolster, cooperating means on said sleeve and said spindle blade for sealing the top of said ohamber against the escape of oil-laden air therefrom, and baifle means within said base above the oil level therein for positively preventing oil from being thrown upwardly in said Chamber.

5. A spindle comprising an oil-containing base having an air Chamber at its top, said base being open at the top of said air Chamber but being otherwise oil-tight, the Oil level in said base being below said air chamber, bearing means supported in said base below said air chamber, a spindle blade revolving in said bearing means, bafile means for positively preventing oil in liquid form from being thrown upwardly in said air chamber, and means for sealing the top of said chamber against the escape of oil-laden air therefrom, said sealing means comprising a member on said spindle blade adjacent the top of said base for inducing air currents in a direction radially away from the spindle blade and a shield on said base above such air currents for defiecting the latter downwardly into said air Chamber.

6. A spindle comprising an oil-containing base having an air Chamber at its top, said base being open at the top of said air chamber but being otherwise oil-tight, the Oil level in said base being below said air chamber, a bolster supported withinsaid base and terminating below said air chamber, a spindle blade revolving in said bolster, bafiie means for preventing oil in liquid form from moving upwardly in said chamber, and means for sealing the top of said Chamber against the escape of oil-laden air therefrom, said sealing means comprising a Collar on said spindle blade adjacent'the top of said air Chamber and a shield on the top of said base arranged to intercept radial air currents induced by said Collar and defiect said currents downwardly within said chamber.

7. A spindle comprising an oil-containing base having an upwardly extending sleeve, said sleeve being open at its top but said base being Otherwise oil-tight, a bolster supported in a bore in said base and terminating an appreciable distance below the top of said sleeve, there being an air Chamber within said sleeve above said bolster and the oil level in said base being below said air chamber, a spindle blade revolving in said bolster, a whorl fixed to said spindle blade above said sleeve and extending downwardly around the sleeve, means for sealing the top of said sleeve to prevent the escape of oil-laden air from said chamber, and balfle means at the top of said bolster for positively preventing oil from being thrown upwardly through said Chamber into contact with said sealing means.

8. A spindle comprising an oil-containing base having an upwardly extending sleeve, said sleeve being open at its top but said base being otherwise oil-tight, a bolster supported within said base and terminating an appreciable distance below the top of said sleeve, there being an air Chamber within said sleeve above said bolster and the oil level in said base being below the top of said bolster, a spindle blade revolving in said bolster, a whorl fixed to said blade above said sleeve and extending downwardly around the sleeve, cooperating members carried respectively by said spindle blade and the top of said sleeve for sealing the top of said Chamber against the escape of oil-laden air therefrom, and an annular baffie ring carried by said bolster for diverting upwardly thrown oil in liquid form and preventing the same from entering said Chamber.

9. A spindle comprising a base having concentric sleeves the outer of which sleeves extends appreciably above the inner sleeve, said base containing lubricating oil to a level below the top of said inner sleeve, bearing means supported in said inner sleeve, a spindle blade revolving in said bearing means, there being an air chamber within said outer sleeve above said inner sleeve, bafiie means for preventing oil in liquid form from being thrown upwardly into said air Chamber, and means for sealing the top of said air chamber against the escape of oil-laden air therefrom.

10. A spindle comprising a base having concentric sleeves the outer of which sleeves extends appreciably above the inner s1eeve, said base containing lubricating oil to a level below the top of said inner sleeve, a bolster supported in said inner s1eeve, a spindle blade revolving in said bolster, there being an air chamber within said outer sleeve above said inner s1eeve, baffle means at the bottom of said air Chamber for diverting upwardly moving oil and directing the same against said outer sleeve, and means for sealing the top of said air chamber against the escape of oil-laden air therefrom.

11. A spindle comprising a base having spaced concentric sleeves, the outer of said sleeves extending upwardly above said inner sleeve and said base containing lubricating oil to a level below the top of said inner sleeve, a bolster supported in said inner sleeve and projecting above the top thereof, a spindle blade revolving in said bolster, bafiie means adjacent the top of said bolster for diverting upwardly moving oil and directing the same against said outer sleeve, and sealing means at the top of said outer sleeve for preventing the escape of oil-laden air therefrom.

12. A spindle comprising a base having spaced concentric sleeves the outer of which sleeves extends upwardly appreciably above the inner sleeve, said base containing lubricating oil to a level below the top of said inner sleeve, a bolster supported in said inner sleeve and projecting above the top thereof, a spindle blade revolving in said bolster, a whorl fixed to said spindle blade above the top of said outer sleeve and extending downwardly around the latter,

there being an air chamber Within said outer sleeve above said bolster, a bafile at the bottom of said air Chamber for defiecting upwardly moving oil and directing the same laterally against said outer sleeve, and Cooperating means on said spindle blade and the top of said outer sleeve for preventing oil-laden air from escaping from the top of said air chamber.

13. A spindle comprising a base having spaced conCentriC sleeves the outer of which sleeves extends upwardly appreciably above the inner s1eeve, said outer sleeve and the portion of the base therebelow forming an oil-tight container having lubricating oil therein to a level below the top of said inner sleeve, a bolster loosely supported in said inner sleeve and projecting above the top thereof, an annular oil-deflecting ring on said bolster, said ring extending outwardly over the top of said inner sleeve for intercepting any oil which may be thrown upwardly from between said bolster and said inner s1eeve, a spindle blade revolving in said bolster, and Cooperating sealing means on said spindle blade and said outer sleeve at the top of the latter.

14. A spindle comprising a base having spaced Concentric sleeves the outer of which sleeves extends upwardly appreciably above the inner s1eeve, said outer sleeve and the portion of the base therebelow forming an oil-tight container having lubricating oil therein to a level below the top of said inner s1eeve, a bolster loosely supported in said inner sleeve and projecting above the top thereof, bafile means for diverting oil thrown upwardly from between said bolster and said inner sleeve, said means comprising an annular ring fixed on said bolster and extending outwardly over the top of said sleeve for directing' said thrown oil outwardly against said outer sleeve, a spindle blade revolving in said bolster, and cooperating bearing-sealing means on said spindle blade and said outer sleeve above said bolster.

15. A spindle comprising a base having spaced concentric sleeves the outer of which sleeves extends appreciably above the inner s1eeve, said outer sleeve and the portion of the base therebelow forming an oil container having lubricating oil therein to a level below the top of said inner sleeve, a bolster loosely supported in said inner sleeve, said bolster having an annular oildefiecting ring extending over the top of said inner sleeve, a spindle blade revolving in said bolster, an oil throwing Collai` on said spindle blade above said bolster, bearing sealing means within said outer sleeve above said Collar, and a whorl fixed to said spindle blade above said outer sleeve and extending downwardly around the latter.

EMERSON B. TIFFT. 

